Overview & Reviews

Swedish-born Volvo has long been a forerunner in safety research, and its vehicles have the crash test scores to prove it. These days, the brand has improved its offerings by crafting vehicles that also offer generous amounts of style and performance.

In Latin, the word "Volvo" means "I roll." Volvo cars have been rolling ever since 1927, when the first vehicle (nicknamed "Jakob") was produced in the city of Gothenburg. The company's founders, Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larsson, put an emphasis on safety, and that dictum still holds true today. The Jakob was joined by the six-cylinder PV651 in 1929, and by 1931, more than 10,000 Volvos had been produced.

Postwar, Volvo unveiled one of its biggest successes, the PV444. By the 1950s, Volvo had begun exporting cars to the U.S., and the PV444 — with its compact size and stylish looks — helped the manufacturer quickly make a name for itself in its new territory. The decade also saw Volvo building on its reputation for being a vanguard in the area of safety; it was the first manufacturer to make vehicles with a three-point safety belt.

The 1960s saw the launch of a new Volvo sports car, the P1800. The car's sculpted good looks helped earn it celebrity status when it was featured on the long-running TV series The Saint, with Roger Moore behind the wheel. Safety features grew more advanced during this decade and Volvo was again at the forefront of the action, offering features such as padded dashboards and energy-resistant crumple zones in front and rear.

Volvo distinguished itself as the exclusive home to a number of valuable new technologies during the 1970s. If you were looking for safety features such as childproof locks, collapsible steering columns and rear-facing child seats during this decade, you'd only find them in a Volvo.

Like BMWs and Saabs, Volvos became an American "yuppie" favorite during the 1980s. The company proved its technological know-how wasn't just limited to safety when it rolled out its first turbocharged car. By the end of the decade, Volvo had unveiled new models like the front-wheel-drive 480 hatchback (for Europe) and the Italian-designed 780 coupe.

In the early '90s, Volvo launched the 850. The car was Volvo's first front-wheel-drive executive car, and teamed performance with the company's trademark attention to safety. The decade also saw Volvo rolling out new models like the S40 and C70 — cars that updated the automaker's boxy image with a more rounded, sculpted aesthetic. The company became part of the Ford family when it was acquired by the automaker in 1998. Ford helped Volvo financially, while Volvo provided Ford with new safety technologies and car platforms. Due to Ford's financial troubles during the American recession, however, Ford sold Volvo to the Chinese automaker Geely in 2010.

It's unknown how Volvo's new owner will guide the brand long term, but chances are Volvo will continue to offer sedans, coupes and SUVs known for their combination of safety and driving excitement.

User Reviews:

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  so so volvo - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Big D. - November 4 - 5:20 am

  Well with now 35000 miles on my XC90 numerous things have been addressed. New rear wheel bearings, Complete front brake job @25000 miles. Rattles coming from places that myself or the dealer cant find....still over all with the things that did go wrong(they were replaced under warranty) its been a good vehicle.

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  Not impressed! - 2006 Volvo S40
  By PassionRed - November 2 - 11:03 am

  We have had our car for 6 mons, and everything that can go wrong has! I would not recommend this car most issues we have had are resolved in the 2006 model.....that is what I have read on-line. Simple things mastered years ago on cars made by US Mfgs like, Digital clock (cant keep time even after update), headlights shine ....where...not where we are looking, drink holders, that cant hold drinks, Interior door handles that scratch so bad it looks like you picked it up from the local junk yard!!!! The TIRES..we wont go there.......Dont have time to list them all, there are too many. Thanks, PassionRed

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  Europe experience - 2014 Volvo S60
  By zuli - November 1 - 5:07 pm

  We took factory delivery and put 3600 miles on the car in a six week road trip. Extremely comfortable seats. Averaged twenty six mpg at ninety on the Autobahn. Averaged thirty at lower speeds. Last car was a BMW. This doesnt corner the same but is more comfortable and offers much more interior room. We are very pleased. The factory delivery is a treat and a lot of fun.

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  Just ok - 2002 Volvo S60
  By jambo - November 1 - 10:00 am

  The seats are very comfortable for tall drivers as they have a good range of tilt. The telescopic wheel is a great feature although a little more range of movement would help. The engine and airconditiong are a nightmare. It sounds like someone is gargling water when you accelerate. There is also a popping noise when the car shifts. The lousy dealers (and i do mean lousy) say it is normal despite the fact that the loaner car i had had none of those problems. The dealers are terrible. I live in south Florida and had to buy my car in Atlanta because they were so bad. Overall, comfortable car when not acting up.

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  Volvo interior is a modern dream!!! - 2005 Volvo S40
  By OverseaVolvoDeliver - October 31 - 2:53 am

  After picking up the Volvo S40 T5 2005 in Sweden and driving it around Sweden all the way to Italy and now all around the State of Texas - the performance of the T5 will knock you back in your seat and the 0-60 and 0- 100 is great (Gotta love the "AUTO BAHNNNNNNNNNN").

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  05 s40 is a money pit - 2005 Volvo S40
  By CB - October 30 - 11:09 pm

  Ive had a slew of issues and high cost repairs on this car. From struts, to transmission issues, gear module, etc. Every car needs service, what makes Volvo "special" is it takes a Volvo specialist to make necessary repairs and usually at high cost. A 2 yr lease is probably the way to go if you desire a Volvo, purchasing one will be a forever quest in high cost maintenance.

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  Transmission Issues - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Tracy - October 30 - 7:43 pm

  Overall experience has been very good until recently when the RPM would race to peak levels while driving. Initial repair shop found nothing wrong. Towed car to dealer and they advised the transmission needed replacement to the tune of $3,800. I would expect this from a lower end vehicle, but not from a Volvo.

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  My Big Mistake! Take our advice! - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By crawfojj - October 30 - 6:50 pm

  Yeah, so I got married and thought about getting into a family style vehicle. But, I wanted something with a little spunk to it. I opted for a used 2004 Volvo XC90 T6. Yikes! Bad call on that! I owned it for 6 months...and although I didnt have to take it to the shop at all it wasnt fun in the least bit. It had good size and visability and I def felt safe...but thats it. Gas mileage was HORRIBLE! And it aint cheap considering you have to use premium! My seats ripped and the sunroof leaked anytime it rained and/or took it through the carwash. Also, it approached the 70k mile mark and I noticed my transmission slipping. Time to get out and cut my loses.

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  S60 R Review - 2004 Volvo S60
  By drapolas - October 29 - 10:00 am

  I was looking for a performance sedan for quite some time, and decided to test drive the S60 R just as a joke. After driving it, and learning more about the amazing technology features on board, I couldnt stop talking about it. I usually prefer German and Japanese cars, and I test drove the BMW 330 xi, the Audi A4 3.0, the new S4, and the infiniti G35 coupe. It took me 6 months to finally convince myself that the S60 R was just a better overall package of performance and practicality. It just provide the best of all comfort, performance, fun with the best seats in the automotive industry. The engine is a marvel particularly with the 6 Speed Manual.

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  Volvo XC90 - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By KerryLD - October 25 - 9:13 pm

  I just purchased this vehicle. My first feeling was that the car was neither as luxurious or as smooth a ride as it should be for a "luxury SUV." It is hard to work the third row seat when attempting to lay them down. Also it is extremely difficult to see behind on either side because of the headrests, front and back. The car has many blind spots which make for uncomfortable backing up. As the "safest" vehicle on the road they should have given you better visibility. Finally,though, the true value of the vehicle showed when I hit a large pool of water and did not skid or move from side to side. There is nothing like sitting in the front seat at 65 mph and feeling that sense of safety.